Road construction season is in full swing, as exemplified by the long list of project updates here.
Below is the list of road construction projects in & around Fishers for the work week starting Monday, May 6:
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Fishers Unites for Mental Health Awareness with “Fishers Wears it Green” Day
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, the City of Fishers and the Fishers Health Department (FHD) are launching initiatives to foster a Stigma Free Fishers and promote mental health awareness throughout the community. Leading the charge is Mayor Scott Fadness, who emphasizes the city’s commitment to addressing mental illness and promoting a stigma-free environment.
As part of the initiative, residents, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to participate in “Fishers Wears it Green” Day on May 10, 2024. Participants are asked to wear green attire and share photos on social media using the hashtag #FishersWearsGreen. All submissions will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
The city is also hosting the annual Hope for Happiness event on May 11 at the Fishers Farmers Market, located at the Nickel Plate District AMP from 8 a.m. to noon. This free, family-friendly event supports Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers High Schools’ Bring Change to Mind clubs, with a focus on raising awareness about mental health through activities, resources, and more.
Fishers has been recognized with the Mental Health America Bell Seal Workplace Gold Seal for the second consecutive year. This prestigious award highlights Fishers’ dedication to fostering a healthy workplace environment and supporting its employees’ mental well-being.
“We are thrilled for the City to be recognized with the Mental Health America Bell Seal Workplace Gold Seal for the second consecutive year,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “As mental health advocates, we prioritize the health and well-being of our staff, and this award is a testament to our ongoing efforts to foster a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.”
Additionally, the Fishers Health Department is celebrating its first year of partnership with Credible Mind, an evidence-based, scientifically backed mental health and self-care digital platform. This collaboration has allowed the department to expand its Stigma Free Fishers mental health campaign, providing additional support services and advocating for greater awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
“As we mark a year of collaboration with Credible Mind, we are grateful for the opportunity to collectively blaze the trail toward evolving the conversation around mental health —promoting awareness, empowerment, and resilience in Fishers,” said Monica Heltz, Director of FHD.
For more information about Fishers Wears it Green Day and other Mental Health Awareness Month initiatives, visit fishersin.gov/mental-health-awareness-month.
Fishers Arts Council Unveils Art That Heals: Focusing on Mental Health Awareness Month
In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, Fishers Arts Council has opened its latest exhibit, “Art That Heals: Focusing on Mental Health,” showcasing the therapeutic and expressive power of art for individuals grappling with a variety of emotions and experiences. The exhibit, open to the public through May 31, aims to inspire attendees to explore creative ways to process thoughts and calm their minds through the medium of art.
“Art That Heals: Focusing on Mental Health” features work from 16 artists hailing from Fishers, Indianapolis, Noblesville, and Greenwood. Many of the participating artists share their personal journeys, demonstrating how art has positively impacted their mental health and provided an outlet for their emotions. The exhibit’s works vary in style and medium, offering an eclectic mix of small sculptures, vivid oil paintings, and watercolors with an emphasis on the healing properties of water. Portraits of admired individuals and large, textured acrylic pieces in an array of colors also grace the gallery.
Visitors will also have the chance to participate in the exhibit, as two artists have created interactive pieces that invite viewers to contribute their own thoughts and comments directly onto the canvas.
Fishers Arts Council’s FAC Hub Gallery, located inside the Hamilton County Community Foundation at 11810 Technology Drive in Fishers, will host a special free all-ages event on Second Friday, May 10, from 6-8 p.m. The celebration includes live music from Scrapper & Skelton, artist talks, and an opportunity to meet and connect with the artists themselves. Mark Rouse, a Fishers artist, will join the event with his interactive artwork.
The following artists, some of whom are mental health and health care professionals, are on display in May, hailing from Fishers, Indianapolis, Noblesville, and Greenwood: John Anderson, Caitlin Bischoff, Sydney Brink, Krista Darrow, Shakila Garugu, Liz Hamstra, Ashley Marie Meyers, Caroline Pyle, Elaina Robins, Karissa Rumsey, Mansoureh Sameni, Sven Schumacher, Carolyn Springer, Skye VanWinkle, Ruth Williams, and Tania Michelle Wineglass.
Fishers artist Mark Rouse joins us for our Second Friday reception with his own interactive artwork.
Focus on the Artist programming will take place at 6:45 p.m., led by board member Pat Grabill. Artists Karissa Rumsey, ATR-BC, LPC, and Caroline Pyle will discuss their work and the therapeutic value art brings to their lives.
The FAC Hub Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday visits can be scheduled by appointment. For more information, contact Fishers Arts Council directly at 317-537-1670 or visit their website at fishersartscouncil.org.
A look at recent media coverage about Fishers
As a one-man-band volunteer news operation, I cover what Fishers news I can, but obviously cannot cover everything. I pay attention to what other news outlets are saying about Fishers. Some may require subscriptions, but here are a few recent examples of Fishers in the local news:
John Tuohy of the Indianapolis Star writes about how the opening of the Hotel Nickel Plate signals a major step in the City of Fishers focus on developing the area around 116th Street and downtown Fishers. The link is here but a subscription may be required.
Daniel Bradley of the Indianapolis Business Journal reports on a new residential development coming to 116th Street and Hoosier Road that will feature condos valued in the range of $1 million. The link is here but a subscription is likely required.
The building that once housed an O’Charley’s restaurant near Target, and has been vacant for a while, and is reopening as Walk-On’s, a sports themed restaurant & bar. David Lindquist has the story at this link, with a subscription likely needed to access this story
Current-In-Fishers Editor Leila Kheiry reports on a squabble between a 5th District Congressional candidate and a Fishers City Council member. A subscription is not required to access this story at this link.
A former employee of a Fishers Day Care pleaded guilty to charges relating to abusing children in her care. Television station WTHR has more on the story at this link (no subscription)
Fishers Magazine Publisher Alison Gatz has started a new video series she calls “Mic’d Up.” In this first episode, Alison walks Ritchey Woods with Mayor Scott Fadness, mostly talking about his personal and family life. No subscription needed here. You can watch the video at this link.
As you can see, local Indianapolis-area news organizations are paying attention to Fishers, whether the news is good or bad for the local community.
Podcast: Becky Schroeder, HSE HS teacher, piloting a new virtual reality program
When you think of virtual reality, you visualize a serious gamer with googles immersing in a competitive contest with others online. Imagine the same technology, but used in a classroom setting.
Becky Schroeder, teacher at HSE High School, has been awarded a $22,000 grant to incorporate virtual reality into her classes.
She talks about that, as well as the English as a new language (ENL) program, during the podcast, linked below.
City Council Nonprofit Committee sets its sights on 2025
Fishers City Council Nonprofit Committee Chair Cecilia Coble welcomed 2 new members of the panel at its first meeting of 2024 Wednesday morning – Councilors Bill Stuart and Tiffany Ditlevson.
The panel is sorting through the applications received for support from local nonprofit organizations. Councilor Coble indicated many church food pantries have asked for support, but cited “inefficiencies” among the many entities offering food to those in need. A local group is working to bring the various food bank operations together to work more closely and become more efficient in helping those locally with food insecurity.
The committee plans to invite local nonprofits that applied online for the city grants to appear before the committee in a future meeting. The city projects $250,000 total would be available in the next city budget cycle in nonprofit grants for calendar year 2025.
Two representatives of the Conner Prairie leadership, Andrew Bradford and Emily Sigler, provided background on what is happening with the Fishers organization, including major renovations underway. They both asked the city to continue its recent Conner Prairie support of $80,000 a year into 2025.
Podcast: Hatem Mekky & Brad Pease with a look at 2024 Fishers road construction
Hatem Mekky is the Director of the Engineering Department for the City of Fishers. Brad Pease has recently joined the department as Assistant Director. In this podcast, they both provide an update on a number of projects in and around Fishers. They discuss:
–The delay in work on Cumberland Road south of 116th Street
–The construction of a roundabout at 96th Street and Allisonville Road
–The status of roundabout construction plans on 141st Street and State Road 37
–The upcoming roundabout construction at 116th Street and Allisonville Road
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Other upcoming projects.
Listen to the podcast at the link below.
Fishers Police arrest 3 in PIT maneuver
Fishers Police Department (FPD) officers successfully apprehended a group of theft suspects Friday using a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) to stop a vehicle allegedly connected to thefts at Target.
The incident began just after noon when FPD received a call about a theft in progress at the Target store on Commercial Drive. Target Asset Protection notified police that known theft suspects were inside the store. As officers arrived on the scene, the suspect vehicle was leaving the store and headed toward Technology Drive.
Officers attempted to pull over the suspect vehicle, which initially stopped. During a high-risk stop, officers detained three men in the vehicle. However, a female passenger suddenly climbed into the driver’s seat and sped away, prompting a pursuit.
Police believed the high-speed chase along Technology Drive posed a danger to officers, the public, and the other suspects due to the reckless nature of the female driver. FPD officers quickly initiated a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, and the female driver was taken into custody.
Once all four suspects were in police custody, officers searched the vehicle and apparently found nearly thirty stolen items valued at $1,275.25. Officers also say they discovered two illegally possessed handguns.
The three male suspects and the female driver were arrested and transported to Hamilton County Jail on various charges.
The suspects arrested and charges are listed below. Also below is a video, from Fox59 News, of the PIT maneuver and arrests.
Road construction update for the work week starting Monday, April 29
With the warmer weather, I do not need to remind Fishers-area motorists that road construction is picking up all around.
Below is the latest update, for the work week beginning Monday, April 29, as provided by the City of Fishers:
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Continue reading Road construction update for the work week starting Monday, April 29
HSE Schools working on replacement of the Panorama Survey
With the cancellation of a contract with Panorama to conduct a survey for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools over one year ago, administrators are working on a replacement survey. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley told the school board Wellness Committee Thursday that there was a meeting just this week on that subject among top officials of the district.
Kegley says any new survey needs to be tied into the program creating the “Portrait of a Graduate.” Kegley also says feedback from building principals will be part of putting together a new survey.
The HSE School Board will have a presentation on the new survey, but not until sometime during the next school year, beginning in August.
In action taken during March of 2023, the board discontinued the contract with Panorama in a 4-3 vote. Board member Sarah Donsbach said the school district paid $152,000 in advance to Panorama and should cost the school corporation $61,000, because the district paid for surveys that will now not be conducted.
–The Wellness Committee also received a rundown on the May 1 Wellness Expo, 6:00-8:30pm, at Fishers High School. Mental Health and School Counseling Coordinator Molly Kirwan listed the groups within and outside the school system that will participate in the Expo. According to the HSE Schools Web site, those attending the Expo will have the opportunity to listen to experts as they discuss important topics including student mental and physical health and wellness, nutrition, and school safety. You can also connect with more than 30 local agencies that provide wellness services in our community. The Fishers Health Department will be on-site to provide a pop-up Vaccine Clinic.
Childcare will be provided at no-cost for children ages 4 and up. The ‘Youth Zone’ will include yoga, arts & crafts, mindfulness practices and healthy snacks!